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Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease, meaning that humans become infected from contact with infected animals. The animal reservoir, or host, of Lassa virus is a rodent of the genus Mastomys, commonly known as the “multimammate rat.” Mastomys rats infected with Lassa virus do not become ill, but they can shed the virus in their urine and faeces.
Lassa fever is spread by the multimammate rat, a common rodent found across much of sub-Saharan Africa. It was first discovered in Nigeria when two missionary nurses succumbed to the virus in 1969. Its name is derived from the village of Lassa where it was first documented.
About 80% of people who become infected with Lassa virus have no symptoms. 1 in 5 infections result in severe disease, where the virus affects several organs such as the liver, spleen and kidneys.
Experts say the best way to prevent the diseases is through keeping rodents out of homes and food supplies, as well as maintaining effective personal hygiene. Gloves, masks, laboratory coats, and goggles are advised while in contact with an infected person.
Researchers at the USAMRIID facility, where military biologists study infectious diseases, have a promising vaccine candidate. They have developed a replication-competent vaccine against Lassa virus based on recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus vectors expressing the Lassa virus glycoprotein. After a single intramuscular injection, test primates have survived lethal challenge, while showing no clinical symptoms.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms generally appear within 1-3 weeks following infection. The incubation period of Lassa fever ranges from 6–21 days.
Cases of Lassa fever becomes serious, symptoms can include: Haemorrhaging – in the gums, nose, eyes or elsewhere, difficulty in breathing, cough, swollen airways, stomach-ache, vomiting and diarrhoea (both bloody).
Other are difficulty in swallowing, Hepatitis, swollen face, pain in chest, back and abdomen, shock, hearing loss (sometimes permanent), abnormal heart rhythms, hypertension or hypotension pericarditis (a swelling of the sac that surrounds the heart), tremors, encephalitis, meningitis and seizures.
The disease is especially severe late in pregnancy, with maternal death and/or fetal loss occurring in more than 80% of cases during the third trimester.
What do you do when you notice Lassa fever symptoms?
The patient should be isolated in a holding room immediately, to limit contact. Early laboratory diagnosis of Lassa fever is important so as to have a good outcome with ribavirin administration.
All samples should be considered as highly infectious. Confirmation of Lassa fever requires highly specialized Reference Laboratories.
How doctors can protect themselves during treatment?
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control Handbook, staff protection and control measures, standard precautions includes hand hygiene, use of double gloves, fluid repellent disposable overall or gown, full length plastic apron over overall/gown, head cover e.g. surgical cap, fluid repellent footwear e.g. surgical boots/shoe covers, full face shield or goggles, fluid repellent FFP 2 respirator used as splash protection.
If the respirator is to be used as respiratory protection when managing a patient with infections known to be transmitted via the airborne route, it must be worn as per manufacturer’s recommendations/instructions.
ANTHONIA OBOKOH
